Health Minister Zweli Mkhize reported on Monday that 73 more people had lost their lives due to the virus, taking the total number of deaths in the country to 2 529.

Mkhize said 43 of the deaths were reported in the Western Cape, 10 in Eastern Cape, six in Gauteng, six in KwaZulu-Natal, five in Limpopo, two in the North West and one death in Mpumalanga.

"This brings the total deaths to 2 529. We wish to express our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers who treated the deceased.

"The mortality rate is 1.8%. The number of recoveries is 70 614, which translates to a recovery rate of 48.9%," said Mkhize.

The cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is now 144 264, with 6 130 new infections recorded over the last 24 hours.

About 1 596 995 tests have been completed in total, of which 29 911 new tests are reported.